A young talent already super-affirmed against the newly blossomed bomber, but destined to mark the years to come. Kylian Mbappé, twenty-year-old world champion, accepts the challenge of Erling Haaland , the 18-year-old Norwegian who overwhelms the defenses. Perhaps it will not be enough for Borussia Dortmund to curb the PSG of the super aces, but Tuesday's match in Germany is the flagship of the first part of the first knockout round of the Champions League, which returns after the winter hibernation. But the other confrontation that tests Liverpool's ruthless goal machine against an Atletico Madrid apparently in disguised guise is certainly no less worthwhile. Rounding out the picture is Wednesday's expected performance of Gasperini's Atalanta who feels he can aspire to the quarterfinals, opposing a strong but not irresistible team, like Valencia . It will then be up to Mourinho's uncertain Tottenham to face the surprise of the Bundesliga, the launched Leipzig , which has managed to highlight the hitherto intermittent qualities of Patrick Schick. The Champions League is now a business for a few: the 16 teams in the round of 16 come from the five major tournaments.
Haaland, taken for 20 million with the rescission clause, launches Dortmund: a devastating impact, 8 goals in 5 games and a future as a superastar. But Dortmund, which can now also count on Emre Can, is very fluctuating and PSG is a battleship that can no longer fail in the Champions League. In addition to Mbappé and Neymar there is now also acclimated Icardi (11 goals in 18 games) who sent Cavani in mothballs. The Parisians, left to rest for Dortmund the first two, scored a daring 4-4 against Amiens with a brace by a new young talent, Kouassi.
It seems to be the most exciting season in Liverpool's long history: after the Champions League it is tyrannising the Premier like no one has ever managed (25 wins and a tie, 76 points and a close mathematical title). Klopp has a perfect machine with great defense, domination over the sides, robust and dynamic median, as well as the arrows Mané and Salah and the offensive director Firmino. But the coach knows that he cannot trust the renewed and discontinuous Atletico Madrid that Simeone is managing with difficulty in this transition season. A victory and two knockouts in the last five challenges testify to the difficulty of the 'colchoneros' who score little but have a defense with bows. It will take a challenge, however, to stop the reigning champions at Wanda.
Gasperini licks his mustache, thinking of the opportunity to continue the Champions dream: with a benign draw a Valencia was found without the bewildered and unfortunate Florenzi, with Kondgobia, an uncertain trend, but still the team stopped Real and Atletico and sent ko the boat. It will take a great deal of Atalanta, but by now maturity, talent and effectiveness are beginning to be feared also in the European context.
He also risks Mourinho's Tottenham, which is struggling to impose itself, but has great experience, has defeated City and follows Chelsea's fourth place. But he will have to take Leipzig with the springs, who contends for Bayern the Scudetto with a promising rise.
The challenges of next week are even more appetizing: Lyon-Juve, Naples-Barcelona and the two big matches between Chelsea and Bayern, but above all Real Madrid-Manchester City. After being disqualified for two years for financial fair play, citizens must go all the way before a possible dissolution of their star squad. Guardiola will not be two years without Champions.
Opponents on the lower card in the Europa League for Inter and Roma. Ludogorets (who won 6-0 in their league) cannot worry Conte, but the team will have to dispel the disappointment of the Olimpico. Gent is the second Belgian team, but much will depend on the reaction of a Roma in crisis that has almost compromised the Champions race with the knockout of Bergamo and the long negative trail. Among the most interesting games of the round of 32 stand out Shakhtar-Benfica, Bruges-United, Getafe-Ajax and Leverkusen-Porto. (HANDLE).